colorful

adjective

col·​or·​ful ˈkə-lər-fəl 

1

: having striking colors

colorful scenery

2

a

: full of variety or interest

a colorful description

b

of speech : rude, offensive

… he had begun to gamble and use colorful language …

—Yohannes Edemariam

colorfully

ˈkə-lər-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

colorfulness

ˈkə-lər-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of colorful

• colored
• varied
• rainbow
• vibrant
• various

Examples of colorful in a Sentence

I wore a colorful outfit.

He gave a colorful account of his travels.

Recent Examples on the Web

From the pale pink jeans championed by Agolde, AG, and Frame this spring to the bold pop of red denim on Isabel Marant’s Fall/Winter 2026–2027 runway, colorful denim is emerging as a trend worth watching. —Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2026

All this guidance was delivered in a colorful graphic that introduced the first food wheel to Americans. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026

The vast and diverse plant category of ground covers includes tough, fast-spreading creeping wire vine, drought-tolerant Blue Rug Juniper or Myoporum, and colorful flowering ground covers like iceplant and common periwinkle. —Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026

This colorful slaw recipe combines red cabbage with carrots in a mayo-free dressing. —Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

color entry 1 + -ful entry 1

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing colorful

• colorful character

Kids Definition

colorful

adjective

col·​or·​ful ˈkəl-ər-fəl 

1

: having noticeable colors

2

: full of variety or interest

a colorful personality

colorfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

colorfulness

-fəl-nəs 

noun